Rafael Leao pens new long-term contract with AC Milan

Rafael Leao has ended the speculation surrounding his future by signing a new long-term deal at AC Milan.

The 23-year-old was heavily linked with Chelsea during last summer's transfer window, with the Blues believed to have submitted at least two offers for the Portugal international.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid have also previously been credited with an interest in the attacker, who has again been in strong form for Milan during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 47 occasions in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and registering 15 assists.

However, Leao, who made the move to San Siro from Lille in the summer of 2019, has now signed a new five-year contract with his Italian club.

"AC Milan is pleased to announce that Rafael Alexandre da Conceicao Leao has renewed his contract with the club until 30 June 2028," read a statement on Milan's official website.

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Over the last four years, Leao has represented Milan on 162 occasions, scoring 41 goals and registering 36 assists in the process.

The forward has been capped on 18 occasions by Portugal, meanwhile, scoring three goals and registering four assists, and he featured for his country at the 2022 World Cup.

"I am very happy. It's something I wanted to do and now it is done," Leao told reporters after officially signing the new deal at San Siro.

"We hope to do great things together in future. We reached an agreement and I am very happy. Now our focus goes to the Verona game and then next season when we want to win many important things."

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Leao's new deal is believed to be worth in the region of €5m (£4.3m) per season, with performance-related bonuses of around €2m (£1.7m), which is less than he would have earned in the Premier League.

The Portuguese helped Milan win the 2021-22 Serie A title, while his team are currently fourth in Italy's top flight, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta BC.

Stefano Pioli's side can still finish above Inter Milan in third, but they will need to beat Hellas Verona on Sunday and hope that their rivals slip up against Torino.

Leao also helped Milan reach the semi-finals of this season's Champions League, but he missed the first leg against Inter through injury, and a difficult tie for Pioli's team saw them lose 3-0 on aggregate.

The attacker started his professional career at Sporting Lisbon, but he only made five appearances for the Portuguese giants before moving to Lille in 2018.